Live coverage: UNLV tops Minnesota in SoCal Challenge final, 71-62

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 | 2 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 | 9:41 p.m.

That'll do it for UNLV's extended stay in California, and it was a productive one: Kevin Kruger's squad just closed out a 71-62 win over Minnesota in the final of the SoCal Challenge to claim the tournament championship.

UNLV is now 6-0 on the season, and this was the most impressive victory yet for the rebuilt Scarlet and Gray. Keshon Gilbert dominated at both ends, posting 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, while E.J. Harkless (16 points), Luis Rodriguez (15) and Jackie Johnson (13) all finished in double figures as well.

They didn't generate as many turnovers as the first five games — Minnesota only committed 17, the first time UNLV failed to force at least 20 this year — but they held the Golden Gophers to 36.8% from the field and held top scorer Jamison Battle to 5-of-17 shooting. 

UNLV will take their SoCal Challenge hardware back to Las Vegas and have a couple days off before hosting Life Pacific on Saturday.

UNLV basketball on verge of win over Minnesota

UNLV is just a few minutes away from claiming the SoCal Challenge title, as they've got a 66-49 lead over Minnesota with 2:55 to play.

It's been a dominant showing from the Scarlet and Gray. Minnesota is shooting 33.3% for the night with 14 turnovers, while UNLV has knocked down 10 3-pointers at the other end.

Keshon Gilbert continues to grow into his role as a lead guard. The sophomore has put together a sterling all-around performance tonight, going for 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals in his 29 minutes.

When the final buzzer sounds, UNLV will be 6-0 on the season and trending in an upward direction.

UNLV has 18-point lead over Minnesota

For the first time this season, UNLV is putting together a complete game at both ends of the court. And it's an impressive sight, as they've built a commanding 52-34 lead over Minnesota with 11:41 left in the final of the SoCal Challenge.

Offense had been an issue through the first five games, but UNLV is creating good shots and making them tonight. Keshon Gilbert (15 points), E.J. Harkless (11) and Jackie Johnson (10) are all in double figures, and they've each made multiple 3-pointers to keep the scoreboard lit.

At the other end, the defense has been as stingy as we've come to expect from this Kevin Kruger squad. Minnesota is shooting just 30.0% from the field and UNLV has harassed the Golden Gophers into missing their last eight attempts; they haven't scored in four minutes.

UNLV is currently on a 6-0 run.

UNLV leads Minnesota at half, 38-14

UNLV looks like a buzz saw right now, making plays on both ends of the floor and taking a 38-24 lead over Minnesota into the locker room at halftime.

Kevin Kruger's squad closed the half on a 19-4 run, marrying efficient offense with opportunistic defense. Keshon Gilbert, E.J. Harkless and Jackie Johnson all hit 3-pointers during the surge (Harkless made two) and they fueled it by forcing seven Minnesota turnovers at the other end.

For the half, UNLV held Minnesota to 33.3% from the field (9-of-27).

Gilbert is leading the way with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, while Johnson has nine. The defense has forced 11 turnovers.

If UNLV can replicate that performance in the second half, they'll have the SoCal Challenge championship wrapped up early.

UNLV, Minnesota tied in SoCal Challenge

With 7:47 left in the first half, UNLV and Minnesota are tied, 19-19.

Minnesota has gotten hot from the field, making six of its last seven attempts, and forward Jamison Battle just scored on a putback to knot the score. He was fouled by Eli Parquet on the play and will shoot a free throw after the timeout.

Keshon Gilbert continues to produce off the dribble, as he's got six points on 2-of-2 shooting. Jackie Johnson has also given the team a spark, hitting two 3-pointers in his stint off the bench.

Quick start for UNLV against Minnesota

After enduring slow starts in each of the last three games, UNLV has come out hot tonight, taking a quick 10-3 lead over Minnesota with 15:53 left in the first half.

Driving lanes have been open for the Scarlet and Gray. Keshon Gilbert has a couple early buckets, including an and-1 layup, and the team is 4-of-9 from the field. Gilbert has a game-high five points.

Minnesota has struggled against UNLV's ball pressure and has made just one of its first six shots.

Kevin Kruger wanted to see his team come out focused from tipoff tonight, and it looks like he's getting it.

'A win is a win': Slow starts no obstacle for 5-0 UNLV

If UNLV finds itself trailing on the scoreboard five, 10, or even 20 minutes into Wednesday’s SoCal Challenge final against Minnesota, don’t panic.

Kevin Kruger certainly won’t.

If there’s a trend that has developed during the Scarlet and Gray’s 5-0 start to the season, it’s that Kruger’s crew can take a little while to warm up. But when they hit their stride, they really hit it.

That closing kick was on display again on Monday night, when UNLV trailed Southern Utah at the half before blowing the doors off over the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Salukis, 30-19, to secure the victory.

The difference was stark at both ends of the court. Southern Illinois shot 63.2% in the first half, but UNLV limited them to 28.6% in the second half.

Offensively, UNLV went from making 34.5% in the first half to converting at a blistering rate of 59.1% after the break.

It was UNLV’s third straight comeback win, and while Kruger would like to see his guys dominate from tipoff, he is embracing what’s working.

“At the end of the day, a win is a win and that’s all that matters,” Kruger said. “We’re going to try to clean it up, because I think if we can start getting off to better starts we can end up being pretty good.”

Slow starts haven’t been the end of the world for this UNLV group — they overcame halftime deficits to beat Dayton and High Point as well. But while it’s working for now, Kruger doesn’t want to make it a habit. In order to reach its ceiling, the team will eventually have to put together 40 minutes of good basketball.

The good news is, Kruger thinks that is an attainable goal.

“Nobody’s got to get taller or run faster or jump higher,” he said. “We’ve just got to be a little more tuned in from the start.”

One player who could be a key early in games is guard E.J. Harkless.

Harkless is UNLV’s second-leading scorer at 14.5 points per game, and the fifth-year senior has filled the role of closer through the first five games — it was his jumper with 38 seconds remaining that clinched the win over Southern Illinois. But after the game, Kruger said UNLV will try some things to get Harkless in an offensive rhythm earlier in the contest against Minnesota.

“He’s providing a steady hand, especially in the second half,” Kruger said. “That’s one thing we’re going to challenge him with, is to get off to a little bit better of a start on Wednesday night, but anytime you can have somebody who has as many games under his belt being where he’s been at, it just helps provide a steady hand.”

Who: UNLV (5-0) vs. Southern Illinois (3-1)

When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. at JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)

TV: CBS Sports Network

UNLV leaders

Scoring: Keshon Gilbert — 16.2 points

Rebounding: Luis Rodriguez — 6.4 rebounds

Assists: Elijah Harkless — 3.2 assists

Minnesota leaders

Scoring: Dawson Garcia — 16.0 points

Rebounding: Pharrel Payne — 6.8 rebounds

Assists: Ta’Lon Cooper — 7.4 assists

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.